Driven metallic ground-post.



PATENTED JAN. 15, 1907.

LE. DOWNS. DRIVEN METALLIC GROUND POST.

iin

APPLICATION FILED MAE. 12.1906.

, improved metallic ground-post of the charac- JOHN HENRY DOWNS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

DRIVEN METALLIC GROUND-POST- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 15, 1907.

Application filed March 12, 1906. Serial No. 305,503.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OHN HENRY DowNs, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driven Metallic Ground- Posts for Fencing and Analogous Uses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to driven metallic ground-posts; and the improvements apply to all types of metallic ground-posts, such as fence line-posts, fence end posts, and cornerposts, hitching -posts, clothes line posts, street-sign posts, &c.

The object of my invention is to provide an ter set forth which will be of extremely simle and ineX ensive construction, which will e thoroug ly and effectively protected against rust or decay at the ground-line, and which will, furthermore, possess advantages in point of durability, strength, convenience, economy, rapidity, and ease in setting and general efiiciency.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fence line-post complete, embodying my improvements and set in position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the collar or base member of the post. Fig. 3 is a detail horizontal cross-section through the base-collar and post proper. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a post embodying my improvements and mounted in position adapted for service as a hitching-post, clothes-line 0st, 01. sign-post. Fig. 5 is a side elevation s owing the manner of mounting end posts in fence construction according to my invention.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by the same reference characters.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the post proper, which is constructed entirely of metal, preferably steel, and in one piece. The post may be formed of sheet metal and is right angular in cross-section throughout its entire length, this formation being for purposes of strength, lightness, and economy, and providing two wings 2 and 3, projecting at right angles to each other. The bottom end of the post 1 is preferably pointed, as shown 5 designates the base collar or block, formed entirely of vitrified clay or other analogous material, which is designed to protect the metallic post 1 at the ground-line against rust or decay. This block 1 is provided. centrally with a right-angular slot 6, extending vertically through the block. The external contour of the block 5 is triangular, so that a.

horizontal cross-section of the block at any point resents a triangular form, and one wing of the vertical slot 6 is preferably parallel with one of the vertical sides 7 of the triangular block, as shown at 8, the purpose of which arrangement will be hereinafter described. The base collar or block 5 preferably has its three vertical sides corrugated or ribbed vertically, as at 9, to afford a firm resistance against lateral displacement when in the ground, these ribs or corrugations being preferably parallel.

It will be understood that the block 5 is a solid one-piece block, simply open centrally at the right-angular slot 6, which latter corresponds to the cross-sectional contour of the metallic post 1. The dimensions of the right-angular slot are such that the base collar or block may be placed upon the top of the metallic post with the latter inserted in the slot and the block then slid down upon the post to its proper base position in the ground. The slot in the base-block thus provides a loose fit, whereby the block ma he slid down on the metallic post 1 after the latter is driven to position in the ground and the block 5 then seated in a hole in the ground with its top projecting a short distancesay one inch-above the ground-surface, and the joint formed between the post 1 and base-block 5-by the loose socket, which is slidably adaptable, as above set forth, affords effectual drainage for any water settling at the surface around the post 1.

When the improved post herein described is employed in fence construction, the wing 2 of the post proper, 1, is received by the wing 8 of the vertical slot in the base-block 5, which slot-wing is parallel with one of the vertical sides 7 when the post proper and block are assembled together, and the other wing 3 of the post 1 is provided with a vertical series of spaced perforations, as at 10, through which are passed the line-wires (shown at 11) of the fence. In such fence construction the base-block 5 is preferably placed so that its side 7, which is parallel to the wing 2 of the post 1, is parallel to the line-Wires 11 of the fence, the perforated wing 3 of the post 1 being thus at right angles to the fence-wires and the position of the base-block in the ground being such that two of its sides 7 are at an angle to the line-wire 11 of the fence, and thus present a strong resistance-surface to the line of strain in either direction, this relative positional arrangement of the base block being better than if the block presentedone of its edges 12 or vertices of the triangle to the line of strain. In fence construction with these improved posts the end post 14 and the adjacent post 15 (see Fig. 5) are preferably connected by a diagonal strip or brace 16, bolted or otherwise secured, as at 17,to the wings of said posts 14 and 15, a diagonal wire-brace, as at 18, being also preferably mounted between the posts 14 and 15 atan angle to the brace 16, and preferably engaging the latter centrally, as shown at 19; The posts 14 and 15 each preferably have an anchor-block 20 placed in the ground beneath the base-block 5 and transversely arranged against the corresponding sides of both posts 14 and 15 toward the line of the fence extension, and the end post 14 has a similar transverse anchor 21 arranged at its side opposite from the anchor 20 and v below the same and also another anchor 22 arranged at right angles to the anchor 21 and below the latter. The end construction just described furnishes a secure and effective anchor for the line of fencing. The anchors 20, 21, and 22 may be simply wooden blocks properly seated in the ground, (shown at 23.)

In Fig. 4 I have shown one of the improved posts as adapted for useas a hitching-post, clothes-line post, sign-post, or other analogous purpose. Under these circumstances the post proper, 1, may be provided with an ornamental top piece, as at 24, (which top piece may, if desired, be also applied to the fence-posts,) which may be secured to the top end of the post 1 in any suitable manner after the base-block 5 is slid to position, or the top piece 24 may be initially secured to the post 1 and the block 5 slid upon the post from the bottom before the post is driven into the ground. One of the wings of the post shown in Fig. 4 may be provided with a pivoted ring, as at 25, for hitching purposes or for clothes-line engagement, or if used as a sign-post one of the wings may be provided with suitablylocated openings or perforations, as at 26, for bolting or otherwise attaching a sign.

When the posts are singly mounted for the purpose and in the manner just described, they preferably have an anchor-block, as at 27, which may be of wood arranged in the ground transversely of the post 1 and beneath the base-block 5 and at the side of the post opposite the direction of strain. This block 27 may be bolted or otherwise secured, as at 28, to perforations or openings 29, provided in the ower portion of one of the wings of the post 1. 1 I

The operation and advantages of my imwill be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains. In mounting the posts a hollow may first be provided in the ground 23 to accommodate the base ;collar or block 5. The post proper, 1,is first driven in the ground to its pro er position and elevation, when the base co ar or block 5,which receives the 0st proper, 1, in its cor- 'Hesponding angular s 0t 2, is slid down u on the post 1 and into the ground or the hol ow therein provided for its reception, the block 5 being preferably arranged in its final position to project a short distance above the ground' line. The slidable block 5 thus not only anchors the post proper, 1, and secures it in upright position, ut it also operates to prevent rust or other decay of the metallic part 1 at the ground-line, which is the point of greatest liability to rust or damage.

I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the detail construction and ar rangement of parts as herein shown and described, as it is manifest that variations and modifications therein may be resorted to in provement in driven metallic ground-posts the adaptation of myinvention to varying conditions of use without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and improvements as defined in the following claims. I

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. An improved driven ground- 0st of the class described, comprising a meta lic bar angular in cross-section and forming the driven post, and a solid one-piece base block or 001-- ar of vitrified material having a vertical slot extending through said one-piece body from top to bottom and corresponding to the angular cross-section of the metallic post and receiving the same, said solid one-piece block or collar being slidable upon the post after the latter is driven in the ground and forming a vitrified base entirely surrounding and inclosing the driven metallic post at the ground-line and protecting a surface length or section of the same below and above the ground-line, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. An improved driven ground-post of the class described, comprising a metallic bar forming the driven post, and a solid onepiece base block or collar of vitrified material aving a vertical slot extending through said one-piece body from top to bottom and corresponding to thecross-section of the metallic post and receiving the same, said solid one piece block or collar having its exterior side faces or planes provided with projecting portions and being slidable upon the post after the latter is driven in the ground and forming a vitrified base entirely surrounding and inclosing the driven metallic post at the ground-line and protecting a surface length orsection of the same below'and above the gronnd line," substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

3. An improved driven ground-post of the class described, comprising a metallic bar forming the driven post, and a solid onepiece base block or collar of vitrified mate rial having a vertical slot extending through said one-piece body'from top to bottom and corresponding to the cross-section of the metallic post and receiving the same, said solid one-piece block or collar having its exterior side faces or planes provided with projecting portions extending vertically and being slidable upon the post after the latter is driven in the ground and forming a vitrified base entirely surrounding and inclosing the driven metallic post at the ground-line and protecting a surface length or section of the same below and above the ground-line, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. An improved driven ground-post of the class described; comprising a metallic bar forming the driven post, and a solid onepiece base block or collar of vitrified material having a vertical slot extending through said one-piece body from top to bottom and corresponding to the cross-section of the metallic post and receiving the same, said solid one-piece block or collar being slidable upon the post after the latter is driven in the ground and forming a vitrified base entirely surrounding and inclosing the driven metallic post at the ground-line and protecting a surface length or section of the same below and above the ground-line, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. An improved driven ground-post of the class described, comprising a metallic bar forming the driven post, and a solid one piece base block or collar of vitrified 1naterial having a vertical slot extending through said one-piece body from top to bottom and corresponding to the crosssection of the metallic post and receiving the same, said solid one-piece block or collar having an angular horizontal cross-sectional contour and being slidable upon the post after the latter is driven in the ground and forming a vitrified base entirely surrounding and inclosing the driven metallic post at the ground-line and protecting a surface length or section of the same below and above the ground-line, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. An improved driven ground-post of the class described, comprising a metallic bar forming the driven post, and a solid onepiece base block or collar of vitrified material having a vertical slot extending through said one-piece body from top to bottom and corresponding to the cross-section of the metallic post and receiving the same, said solid one-piece block or collar having an angular horizontal cross-sectional contour and provided with projecting portions upon its exterior side faces or planes and being slidable upon the'post after the latter is driven in the ground and forming a-vitrified base entirely surrounding and inclosing the driven'metallic post at the grounddine and protecting a surface length or section of the same below and abovethe ground-line, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7'; An improved driven ground-post of the class described, comprising a metallic bar forming the driven post, and a solid one-piece base block or collar of vitrified material having a vertical slot extending through said one-piece body from top to bottom and corresponding to the cross-section of the metallic post and receiving the same, said solid onepiece block or collar having an angular horizontal cross-sectional contour and provided upon its exterior side faces or planes with corrugations extending vertically and being slidable upon the post after the latter is driven in the ground and forming a vitrified base entirely surrounding and inclosing the driven metallic post at the ground-line and protecting a surface length or section of the same below and above the ground-line, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. An improved driven ground-post of the class described, comprising a metallic bar angular in cross-section and forming the driven post, and a solid one-piece base block or collar of vitrified material having a vertical slot extending through said one-piece body from top to bottom and corresponding to the angular cross-section of the metallic post and receiving the same, said solid one-piece block or collar having an angular horizontal crosssectional contour and having one wing of its vertical angular slot parallel to one of the sides of the angular cross-sectional contour of the block and being slidable upon the post after the latter is driven in the ground and forming a vitrified base entirely surrounding and inclosing the driven metallic post at the ground-line and protecting a surface length or section of the same below and above the ground-line, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. As an improved article of manufacture, a solid one-piece base block or collar of vitrified material having a vertical slot extending through said one-piece body from top to bottom and adapted to receive a corresponding metallic post upon which said solid one-piece block or collar is slidable after the post is driven in the ground, to form a vitrified base entirely surrounding and inclosing the driven metallic post at the ground-line and protecting a surface length or section of the same below and above the ground-line, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. As an improved article of manufacture, a solid one-piece base block or collar of vitrified material having a vertical slot extending through said one-piece body from top to bottomand provided upon its exterior side faces or planes With projecting portions,

said solid one-piece block being adapted to be slidable upon a metallic post corresponding to and received by its vertical slot after the post is driven in the ground, to form a vitrified base entirely surrounding and inolosing the driven metallic post at the ground-line and protecting a surface length or section of the same below and above the ground-line, 10

substantially as and for the purpose set forth. In testimony whereof I have si ned my name in the presence of the subscri ing Witnesses.

JOHN HENRY DOWNS. Witnesses:

HENRY BEsT, Jos. REED LITTELL. 

